In a rapidly shifting economic environment, hotel developers and lenders are adapting their strategies to secure successful outcomes for hotel projects. We sat down with Jared Schlosser, EVP of Hotel Lending and Head of CPACE at Peachtree Group to discuss how rising interest rates and inflationary pressures are influencing lending criteria and financial planning.
Q: Given the rising interest rates and inflationary pressures, how are lenders adjusting their underwriting criteria for hotels?
Jared Schlosser: Right now, it's all about cash flow. It’s hard to underwrite any sort of pro forma growth unless there’s a real story behind it. Lenders are focused on the cash flow, and if you can achieve a 13% debt yield or higher, you qualify for generally permanent debt, CMBS, life company, or even bank takeouts. If you don’t meet that threshold, then you typically fall into the private credit space, which is where Peachtree Group comes in.
Q: What are the current trends in loan terms, such as loan-to-value (LTV) ratios or interest rates?
JS: It’s been quite varied, depending on what each lender's risk threshold is. The biggest trend I’m seeing is uncertainty around how long rates will stay elevated. Because of that, borrowers are seeking flexibility. They’re willing to pay a premium for loans with shorter yield maintenance or reduced prepayment penalties. Many are hesitant to lock into long-term fixed-rate debt like they used to.
We provide both fixed-rate and floating-rate loans, but even with fixed-rate products, borrowers are trying to secure as much flexibility as possible. We’re still getting to 70% loan-to-cost (LTC) or LTV, sometimes pushing up to 75% or scaling back, depending on our underwriting. In contrast, the banking market is closer to 50-55% on average, which highlights the difference between our space and traditional banks.
Q: How should developers adapt their financial strategies in this market?
JS: I always say in a volatile market, get ahead of it. Be proactive—get ahead of your maturity dates and start conversations early, whether it’s with us or other competitors in the space. Early engagement is key right now because the future is so uncertain.
With upcoming elections, the volatility surrounding Federal Reserve policy, and questions about whether rates will be cut or stay elevated longer than expected, liquidity is fluctuating. The sooner borrowers are out in the market looking for refinances or construction financing, and the more well-prepared their packages are, the better their chances of securing favorable terms.
Peachtree Group is a direct balance sheet lender focused on funding first mortgage bridge loans, mezzanine loans, preferred equity investments, and commercial property assessed clean energy (CPACE) financing, lending to all commercial real estate asset classes with a specialty in hotel financing. The Peachtree Group team has executed more than 297 transactions, originating more than $4.5 billion for projects seeking capital to complete acquisitions, recapitalizations, refinancing and renovations.
ATLANTA (Nov. 13, 2025) – Peachtree Group (“Peachtree”), a leading commercial real estate investment firm overseeing a diversified portfolio of more than $9 billion, announced the appointment of Zach Chandler as senior vice president of strategy, government lending.
In this role,Chandler will lead strategic initiatives and business development for Peachtree’s expanding government lending platform, which includes programs backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) and other federally guaranteed loan programs.
“Zach’s leadership and experience in the government-guaranteed lending space will be instrumental as we continue to scale our platform,” said Greg Friedman,managing principal and CEO of Peachtree.
Chandler brings nearly a decade of experience in government-guaranteed lending and commercial finance. He joins Peachtree from Thomas USAF Group, one of the nation’s largest originators of USDA and SBA loans, where he most recently served as senior vice president of government-guaranteed lending. During his tenure, he helped expand the firm’s lending capabilities, strengthen borrower relationships and align growth strategies across financial partners.
Earlier in his career at Thomas USAF Group, Chandler held roles as vice president and commercial loan officer, where he was responsible for loan origination, credit evaluation and client relationship management. His experience includes leading due diligence and underwriting processes for middle-market borrowers and developing customized financing structures across industries.
“The addition of the USDA Business & Industry Loan Program enhances our ability to provide flexible, long-term financing for projects in smaller or underserved markets, areas where traditional bank lending has pulled back. Integrating USDA lending into our broader credit platform expands our reach, diversifies our capital solutions and allows us to support borrowers across the full spectrum of commercial real estate and operating businesses,” Friedman said.
Chandler earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.
ATLANTA (Nov. 12, 2025) - Peachtree Group (“Peachtree”) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire First Western SBLC, Inc. (“First Western”), doing business as PMC Commercial Trust (“PMC”), a Dallas-based nationwide direct lender specializing in Small Business Administration (“SBA”) 7(a) loans. The closing is subject to the receipt of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s consent as well as certain other closing conditions.
“This acquisition will allow Peachtree to expand its credit platform while bringing the speed, creativity and certainty we’re known for into the SBA lending space,” said Greg Friedman, Peachtree’s CEO and managing principal. “PMC was founded by my grandfather, Dr. Fred Rosemore, over four decades ago to help entrepreneurs access capital and pursue their business goals. Bringing that legacy into Peachtree’s platform will be both personally meaningful and strategically powerful, enabling us to deliver fast, flexible financing solutions to small business owners nationwide.”
Following the closing of this acquisition, Peachtree will offer small business owners streamlined access to SBA 7(a) loans ranging from $50,000 to $5,000,000 to finance acquisitions of real estate or other businesses, purchase equipment, provide working capital and refinance existing debt. This lending solution provides a highly efficient capital source for smaller transactions, particularly in the hospitality sector, and will extend Peachtree’s ability to serve owners across a variety of industries.
PMC, an indirect subsidiary of Creative Media & Community Trust Corporation (“CMCT”), is one of only 12 Small Business Lending Companies (“SBLCs”) actively licensed by the SBA to originate 7(a)loans. Since its founding in 1983, the firm has helped entrepreneurs access growth capital and holds the SBA’s Preferred Lender Program (PLP) designation, granting delegated authority to place SBA guarantees on loans without prior SBA review, allowing borrowers to close faster and advance their business plans.
This acquisition underscores Peachtree’s commitment to providing diverse and flexible capital solutions across the credit spectrum, positioning the firm to support both institutional borrowers and small business owners with the right financing at the right time.
“Expanding into SBA lending is a natural extension of Peachtree’s vertically integrated platform,” Michael Harper, President, Hotel Lending added. “With PMC’s PLP designation and focus on hotel owners, along with the network of relationships we can leverage through our originations team, we will be able to provide efficient capital solutions for smaller transactions while supporting small business growth in hospitality and other industries. This addition will broaden our credit capabilities and strengthen our ability to deliver strong returns for investors.”
This expansion will build on Peachtree’s established reputation as one of the nation’s leading commercial real estate lenders.
Peachtree is a top-tier financing partner recognized by the Mortgage Bankers Association as the seventh-largest investor-driven commercial real estate lender in the U.S. The firm will offer a full spectrum of financing solutions, including SBA 7(a) loans following the closing of this acquisition, permanent loans, bridge loans, mezzanine financing, CPACE (Commercial Property-Assessed Clean Energy) loans, preferred equity investments and Triple Net Lease (NNN) financing.
Atlanta Business Chronicle | Peachtree Group continues to play a major role in Atlanta’s evolving real estate landscape, providing over $150 million in recent financing across three key projects. The firm’s latest deal includes a $35.7 million loan for the $605 million Northbend redevelopment in Brookhaven, transforming Corporate Square into a mixed-use community with housing, retail, and green space. Earlier this year, Peachtree also financed the Atlanta Financial Center and the new Westin Atlanta Gwinnett near Gas South Arena, underscoring its growing influence as one of the Southeast’s most active private-credit providers.
